Chapter 139: The Nature of Singularity Fuyuki
"Save point? Destroyed by Chaldea itself?!"
Galahad's sudden statement left Ethan completely stunned.
Wasn't it because Saber Alter got the Holy Grail from Lev that the Fuyuki Singularity was formed?How did it end up becoming a save point for the Human Order???
"Sorry… It seems what you just said… is completely different from what I was told."
Ethan raised his hand to rub his forehead, asking again with a headache.
"Looks like Chaldea didn't tell you everything."
Galahad shook his head.
"No—or maybe they intentionally kept this part from you. But anyway, it's Chaldea we're talking about… things like this are nothing strange for them, probably just part of the plan."
"If possible, I'd like to hear more about this Singularity."
For now, just listen to what this kouhai-kun has to say, then draw conclusions later.
"When I arrived, the Holy Grail of this Fuyuki was already contaminated, a large amount of black mud had spread from a fixed coordinate, and from there, a massive number of Servants without ego were created."
He must be talking about those Shadow Servants.
A massive number?!
"A Saber was guarding that contaminated Holy Grail, and an Archer was also on her side. But as time passed, more and more Heroic Spirits like me lost their Saint Graphs and couldn't return to the Throne of Heroes, instead being sent to this place. We're just like you—we're called 'Drifters'."
"Can't return to the Throne of Heroes and end up here instead?!"
And judging by the way Galahad spoke, it didn't seem like just a few people—many Servants had been dragged into this.
"While still not understanding what was going on, that Saber Alter and Archer would attack those Drifters until all were annihilated."
"Don't tell me… no one has ever defeated them?"
"Under the protection of the Holy Grail, no one can defeat that Saber."
Galahad turned his head toward the opposite side—toward that massive crater.
"But all of that… what does it have to do with this place being the save point of the Human Order?"
Ethan still couldn't grasp the meaning behind his junior's words.
"Because that Saber Alter—the lonely King of Knights—is the safety lock ensuring the existence of this Singularity."
The moment Galahad said that, Ethan's mind immediately recalled what Lev had once said.
"That Saber already had the Holy Grail but still wanted to keep this era going…"
Now that he thought about it—it was kind of strange.
Why would a Saber who possessed the Holy Grail want to preserve this twisted era?
What was in Singularity F that made it so worth protecting?
"This Singularity F… Chaldea evaluated its Human Order Foundation Value as rank C, right?"
Galahad continued speaking.
"Normally, a Singularity that minor—if left alone—wouldn't cause any major disruption to Proper Human History. But Chaldea still chose it as the first target to repair. Don't you find that odd?"
"Being the first chosen Singularity… seems pretty normal to me."
Ethan responded immediately.
Even if it's a mission in a game, you've got to go from easy to hard, right?
"That's because you're just an ordinary person, a Master from Chaldea."
Galahad looked straight into Ethan's eyes.
"The seven Masters Chaldea prepared at the start were all exceptionally talented magi, yet Chaldea had all seven of them perform a Rayshift to this era at the same time—don't you think that's overkill?"
"——————————?!"
Ethan froze on the spot.
That's true… That Team A, every one of them was a monstrous talent.
Not even mentioning that "three-thousand-year-old girl" or whatever, just the team leader alone was already a powerhouse.
Chaldea sent all seven of them to Fuyuki, and because of that, Lev—Demon God Pillar—blew them all up in one go.
Thinking about it carefully, it really was absurd.
"The reason Chaldea had to destroy this place was because they discovered it's a save point."
"Wait… What exactly does 'save point' mean?"
"This place is a twisted divergence point that exists independently from the world. If, for any reason, the Human Order is wiped out in the future, it will automatically reboot from here to generate a new future."
"Even if a period comes when the Human Order is severed and can't continue—so long as this place still exists, the Human Order will always have a kind of 'insurance' to sustain itself."
Galahad used his sword to draw a straight line on the ground, then pulled out a new branch from that line.
"That's exactly why that Saber Alter has been protecting this era all this time."
"But why should I believe you're telling the truth?"
Ethan still kept his distance from Galahad.
Even though this kouhai-kun had just saved him, that didn't mean everything he said was automatically true.
"I never intended to convince you."
Galahad withdrew his sword, then erased all the markings he'd drawn on the ground.
"I just didn't want you and that girl to keep being kept in the dark. There are plans within Chaldea that you can't see."
Then, he stood up.
"This conversation ends here. Looks like someone has already tracked this place down."
"Hmph... Still as sharp as ever, Knight of the Grail."
At some point, a figure had appeared at the far end of the bridge.
Ethan quickly turned to look—it was Emiya Shirou, corrupted by the black Holy Grail.
"Still refusing to submit to the King today, are you?"
"Sorry, I'm inherently a man without desire or ambition. So, returning to serve under the King—doesn't really interest me at the moment."
"Another Drifter, is it?"
Emiya's gaze swept up and down, observing Ethan from head to toe.
"Are you trying to protect this one too?"
"I respect the King's choices, but I don't agree with all of her orders."
Galahad raised his sword and stepped in front of Ethan, cutting off Emiya Shirou's line of sight.
"How boring... But fortunately, my orders are clear: ensure the stability of this era by any means necessary. If I meet resistance—then everything must be destroyed!"
Emiya Shirou dashed forward at incredible speed, instantly manifesting the twin swords Kanshou and Bakuya.
"Fwoosh ————!!"
Two sharp slashes came crashing down!
Galahad immediately raised his sword to clash with the twin blades!
"Clang —————————!!"
Galahad's strength was in no way inferior to Emiya Shirou's.
"Is protecting others your hobby, Knight of the Round Table?"
"It's just that I have some connection with him. If possible, I hope you'll back off here, Archer."
Galahad charged forward with force, driving Emiya Shirou back with his sword.
Emiya Shirou dodged Galahad's strike and immediately leapt backward.
"Fwoosh, fwoosh——————!!!"
Kanshou and Bakuya turned into spinning blades, flying straight toward Ethan behind Galahad!
Seeing this, Galahad had to abandon pursuit and block the two short swords.
By now, Emiya Shirou had already formed a black bow and a sword in his hands.
"Fwoosh——————————!!!"
After pulling the bowstring taut, the sword was launched as an arrow straight at Galahad!!!
The moment the flying sword came into view, Galahad stretched out his hand.
A shield materialized mid-air, intercepting the flying blade shot by Emiya Shirou.
"Crack!"
When the long sword struck the shield, it instantly turned to dust.
"Haa!!"
Galahad charged forward with the shield in hand, swinging it forcefully at Emiya Shirou.
Unable to draw his bow in time, Emiya Shirou had to throw it away and recreate Kanshou and Bakuya to defend.
"Claaang——————————!!!"
With a thunderous clash, Emiya Shirou was sent flying.
Galahad immediately chased after him, continuing the attack!
Ethan saw the two of them fighting and running along the riverside, and quickly gave chase.
Galahad truly lived up to the name of a genuine Heroic Spirit—he was far more skilled with a shield than even Mash.
It wasn't long before he had Emiya Shirou cornered.
"If you're willing to retreat here, then this ends now."
Galahad remained in a guarded stance with his shield, speaking to the downed Emiya Shirou, who couldn't move.
"Heh... if I could, I'd want that too. But with such an obvious trap… looks like you weren't paying attention."
Emiya Shirou shouted loudly toward the rear.
"————————?!"
Galahad immediately looked into the distance.
There, a shadow was already fast approaching.
"Claaang——————————!!!"
Galahad instantly raised his shield to block the sudden attack.
A female knight in black armor appeared before them.
"Saber?!"
Ethan stared at Saber Alter—the one who had been guarding the Holy Grail—now manifesting in this very place.
"Galahad, have you betrayed the vow of the Knights of the Round Table?"
Saber questioned loudly, gripping the Black Holy Sword tightly, standing tall before them.
"No, I have never forgotten my oath, my King."
Galahad placed his hand over his chest and spoke solemnly.
"Then why are you helping these 'Drifters'?!"
"Because doing so would be a betrayal of the chivalric spirit of Britannia."
Facing Artoria's accusation, Galahad showed no emotion, staring directly at her.
"Ridiculous! As a Knight of the Round Table, loyalty to the King must come above all else!!!"
"I'm sorry, my King, but I cannot abandon my chivalry completely."
"Is that so? Then I can only consider you someone who openly defies the King's order—and you must be punished."
Saber gripped her sword with both hands, entering a battle-ready stance.
"Still able to fight, Archer?"
"Of course... Saber."
Despite his injuries, Emiya Shirou forced himself to stand. He summoned a bow and the sword Hound of the Red Plains, then drew the bowstring taut.
Seeing Saber radiating a dense black magical energy, Galahad also took a serious stance.
He raised his shield in front of him, unmoving, eyes focused sharply on their every move.
A massive amount of dark mana began to gather around Saber, and soon, the Black Holy Sword in her hand fully manifested.
Once the blade was filled with power, she let out a mighty swing forward!
"Vortigern, Hammer of the Vile King, reverse the rising sun. Swallow the light—Excalibur Morgan!!!"
At the same time, Emiya Shirou loosed his arrow—the Hound of the Red Plains—at blistering speed!
Darkness devoid of light surged forth, its magical energy crushing and consuming everything in its path!
Galahad immediately raised his shield high, his eyes resolute, and began chanting:
"I will stand on the seat of catastrophe.That which heals all wounds and grudges, our glorious homeland.Manifest yourself!Castle of Distant Ideals—Lord Camelot!!!"
A majestic silver wall materialized!
The wave of darkness—like a dragon's breath—crashed against it, instantly stopped in its tracks.
Galahad stepped forward.
"Haa!!!"
In that moment, the massive magical shockwave was completely deflected—blasted back in the opposite direction!
"BOOM——————————!!!"
The dark attack rebounded, striking both Saber and Archer, engulfing them in its fury.
Ethan didn't take his eyes off the clash of Noble Phantasms before him. Unlike Mash, the original Galahad could reflect his enemy's damage.
When he looked again, Saber and Archer had collapsed to the ground. Their bodies began turning into points of light, slowly dissolving.
Galahad said nothing. He simply withdrew the Shield he held.
"It's safe now."
Galahad turned back to Ethan.
"Thanks," Ethan nodded in gratitude.
"No need to thank me. I'm just protecting you on her behalf."
With Saber's defeat, a golden chalice appeared.
The Holy Grail!!!
Ethan stared at the Holy Grail and finally let out a breath of relief.
This Singularity had been resolved—perhaps now he could return.
Even if it was all just a dream... it was time to wake up.
Galahad stepped forward and took the Holy Grail in hand.
"Galahad, can I use the Holy Grail to return now?"
Ethan approached him.
"Sorry. Even with the Holy Grail's power, it's not possible to return to your original era."
Galahad looked at Ethan with a blank expression.
"You didn't arrive in this time through normal means. I'm afraid there's no way back anymore. Besides, I won't allow you to use this Holy Grail recklessly—doing so would surely destroy this era."
"——————!?"
Ethan's eyes widened in disbelief as Galahad placed the Holy Grail into his Shield.
"Galahad, don't tell me you're—"
"That's right. I will take the King's place and continue preserving this era!"
A dark aura began to rise from Galahad's purple armor, yet his expression remained unwavering.
Damn it...
Ethan clenched his fists.
He no longer had any Servants. The system wasn't responding. Fighting Galahad alone now was practically impossible.
But if this Singularity wasn't resolved, he had no hope of leaving this place.
And now the Holy Grail was in Galahad's possession.
Could it really be... the end?
"So this is where you were hiding."
A familiar voice rang out from above.
"This King thought you'd gone and disappeared somewhere."
Right before Ethan's eyes, the ground suddenly split open—and from the fissure emerged a blonde girl wearing a crown, a wicked smile on her face.
"So this is where you've been playing, final Master of humanity~"